1. < Neuropathy

Is there any connection with statin use and neuropathy?

Posted by sjpphil @sjpphil, Apr 27, 2016

Is there any connection with statin use and neuropathy? I have had numbness and tingling in my hands and fingers, along with severe cramping at night. One NP thought this was carpel tunnel, but my doc does not think so. Any thoughts?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

JohnWBurns | @johnwburns | Jun 15, 2016
In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome @sjpphil I'm tagging @condoline and @johnwburns to see if they have some thoughts on this...." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Welcome @sjpphil
I'm tagging @condoline and @johnwburns to see if they have some thoughts on this.
In the meantime, sjpphil, you may be interesting in reading this post by Condoline https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/heart-failure-278546/?pg=1#post-25019 and this thread on neuropathy started by @rabbit10 https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-here-dealing-with-peripheral-neuropathy/

Did your doctor think the numbness might be related to statins?

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The more I think about it the more that I wonder if there could be a connection. I've used statins for years and have had the muscle problems but I never connected them to neuropathy. They've said that they can't be sure of the root cause of my neuropathy so I wonder if a trial off of the low dose of lipitor I take might be worth it. This doctor, as anti-statin as they get, is on to a lot of angles. Might trigger something you can follow up on. https://www.spacedoc.com/articles/neuropathy-and-statins

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timmckinney | @timmckinney | Mar 9, 2017

I never had any issues until my Doctor 6 years ago greatly increased my dosage of Lipitor, even though my cholesterol was under control in hopes of lowering my triglycerides. From 10 mg to 35 mg and within a year, I developed the burning, stabbing pain in my feet and even after backing completely off the statin, still have the issue that many feel is directly related to the statin over dose. Been told that cholesterol is what makes up he covering of the nerve endings and overdosing can cause this protective covering to become damaged, thus the pain issues from neuropathy. Cannot be corrected once the damage is done.

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ealanddtc | @ealanddtc | Aug 3, 2017
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @sjpphil and @rabbit10, we took the question about statins and neuropathy to a pharmacist here..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @sjpphil and @rabbit10, we took the question about statins and neuropathy to a pharmacist here at Mayo Clinic. She writes:

"Neuropathy is not a side effect that typically comes to mind when someone is taking a statin, but there have been case reports suggesting there may be an association. At this point, a causal relationship has not been proven (we can’t say for sure that statins are the reason these patients developed neuropathy), but it is possible, and something that is being studied. It seems that the longer a person is taking a statin, the greater the risk of neuropathy. (Statins and risk of polyneuropathy: a case-control study. Published in Neurology. 2002;58(9):1333. Authored by Gaist, et al.)

Of course, neuropathy may be caused by other things as well, so it’s good that your health care team has ordered tests to get to the bottom of it."

I look forward to hearing the results of your testing @sjpphil.

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I was a worker's compensation adjuster for 30 years. Carpal tunnel was a condition that many of my workers had to deal with. Carpal tunnel is brought on by repetitive motion. No exercise please. Rest the wrist and most wear gear to keep the wrist from much movement. If your carpal tunnel is brought on by repetitive motion and you keep doing the same activity after surgery, then the surgery will not help you very much. The repetitive motion is causing a spasm that bumps/strikes the carpal bone in the wrist. A piece of bone is removed with surgery but the spasm will keep happening with continued over working of the wrist. I suppose that there could be another problem that would cause carpal tunnel pain but I am not aware of any. In 30 years, I never sent any of my workers for PT. The owner of the business would change working positions so that the same movements were not repeated after surgery. If you have an acute carpal tunnel problem, chances are great that the condition will wake you up in the wee hours of the morning with very much pain. I have found, for me, that in cases like this, I get a second opinion before any surgery. Good luck to you and I hope you feel better soon.

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venki | @venki | Sep 30, 2017

Im a CSVD patient with Brain shrinkage, Ulnar Neuropathy problems. I have been taking Lipitab 10 for the past 7 months. Will it have any side effect as mentioned in the post by @ timmckinney. Kindly explain.

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ssandy | @ssandy | Dec 23, 2017
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @sjpphil and @rabbit10, we took the question about statins and neuropathy to a pharmacist here..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @sjpphil and @rabbit10, we took the question about statins and neuropathy to a pharmacist here at Mayo Clinic. She writes:

"Neuropathy is not a side effect that typically comes to mind when someone is taking a statin, but there have been case reports suggesting there may be an association. At this point, a causal relationship has not been proven (we can’t say for sure that statins are the reason these patients developed neuropathy), but it is possible, and something that is being studied. It seems that the longer a person is taking a statin, the greater the risk of neuropathy. (Statins and risk of polyneuropathy: a case-control study. Published in Neurology. 2002;58(9):1333. Authored by Gaist, et al.)

Of course, neuropathy may be caused by other things as well, so it’s good that your health care team has ordered tests to get to the bottom of it."

I look forward to hearing the results of your testing @sjpphil.

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I have taken simvastatin for long time. I have recently been diagnosed with perpheral neuropathy I went off simvasatin for a month and litlle if any effect. Back on at half of prior dose Reduced from 40 to 20

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Dec 23, 2017
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @sjpphil and @rabbit10, we took the question about statins and neuropathy to a pharmacist here..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @sjpphil and @rabbit10, we took the question about statins and neuropathy to a pharmacist here at Mayo Clinic. She writes:

"Neuropathy is not a side effect that typically comes to mind when someone is taking a statin, but there have been case reports suggesting there may be an association. At this point, a causal relationship has not been proven (we can’t say for sure that statins are the reason these patients developed neuropathy), but it is possible, and something that is being studied. It seems that the longer a person is taking a statin, the greater the risk of neuropathy. (Statins and risk of polyneuropathy: a case-control study. Published in Neurology. 2002;58(9):1333. Authored by Gaist, et al.)

Of course, neuropathy may be caused by other things as well, so it’s good that your health care team has ordered tests to get to the bottom of it."

I look forward to hearing the results of your testing @sjpphil.

Jump to this post

Hello @ssandy, welcome to Mayo Connect. We are glad you found us. It's a good place to share your health concerns, ask questions and learn what others with similar health concerns are doing for treatment. I have small fiber peripheral neuropathy. My doctor tried to prescribe simvastatin to me to help with my cholesterol numbers but I turned it down specifically because there is evidence that it causes or makes neuropathy worse. I would have a discussion with your doctor. I told my doctor I would work on my diet to help my numbers.

Here are some helpful links that offer information on statins and neuropathy:

The implications of statin induced peripheral neuropathy
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3103035/
Statin Neuropathy Masquerading as Diabetic Autoimmune Polyneuropathy
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/28/8/2082.1
Medication Induced Neuropathy
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11910-003-0043-8
Can you share what your diagnosis is for taking simvastatin?

John

REPLY
oldkarl | @oldkarl | Dec 23, 2017
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @sjpphil and @rabbit10, we took the question about statins and neuropathy to a pharmacist here..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @sjpphil and @rabbit10, we took the question about statins and neuropathy to a pharmacist here at Mayo Clinic. She writes:

"Neuropathy is not a side effect that typically comes to mind when someone is taking a statin, but there have been case reports suggesting there may be an association. At this point, a causal relationship has not been proven (we can’t say for sure that statins are the reason these patients developed neuropathy), but it is possible, and something that is being studied. It seems that the longer a person is taking a statin, the greater the risk of neuropathy. (Statins and risk of polyneuropathy: a case-control study. Published in Neurology. 2002;58(9):1333. Authored by Gaist, et al.)

Of course, neuropathy may be caused by other things as well, so it’s good that your health care team has ordered tests to get to the bottom of it."

I look forward to hearing the results of your testing @sjpphil.

Jump to this post

@ssandy Sandy, my dose of simvastatin was raised by half, and I was on it for a couple years. Then it was cut back to the original. In neither case did it make any difference in my neuropathy. I have tried Lyrica, and a bunch of others, and nothing has made any positive or negative difference. I have neuropathy everywhere. It just seems to bounce around...neck, jaw, feet, hands, butt, back, legs, everywhere. I have Light Chain Amyloidosis.

REPLY
ssandy | @ssandy | Dec 24, 2017
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @sjpphil and @rabbit10, we took the question about statins and neuropathy to a pharmacist here..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @sjpphil and @rabbit10, we took the question about statins and neuropathy to a pharmacist here at Mayo Clinic. She writes:

"Neuropathy is not a side effect that typically comes to mind when someone is taking a statin, but there have been case reports suggesting there may be an association. At this point, a causal relationship has not been proven (we can’t say for sure that statins are the reason these patients developed neuropathy), but it is possible, and something that is being studied. It seems that the longer a person is taking a statin, the greater the risk of neuropathy. (Statins and risk of polyneuropathy: a case-control study. Published in Neurology. 2002;58(9):1333. Authored by Gaist, et al.)

Of course, neuropathy may be caused by other things as well, so it’s good that your health care team has ordered tests to get to the bottom of it."

I look forward to hearing the results of your testing @sjpphil.

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ThanksDoes exercise help?  I have seen some notes saying rest is better?How about acupuncture which seems  To have a cult of its own?

REPLY
ssandy | @ssandy | Dec 24, 2017
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @sjpphil and @rabbit10, we took the question about statins and neuropathy to a pharmacist here..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @sjpphil and @rabbit10, we took the question about statins and neuropathy to a pharmacist here at Mayo Clinic. She writes:

"Neuropathy is not a side effect that typically comes to mind when someone is taking a statin, but there have been case reports suggesting there may be an association. At this point, a causal relationship has not been proven (we can’t say for sure that statins are the reason these patients developed neuropathy), but it is possible, and something that is being studied. It seems that the longer a person is taking a statin, the greater the risk of neuropathy. (Statins and risk of polyneuropathy: a case-control study. Published in Neurology. 2002;58(9):1333. Authored by Gaist, et al.)

Of course, neuropathy may be caused by other things as well, so it’s good that your health care team has ordered tests to get to the bottom of it."

I look forward to hearing the results of your testing @sjpphil.

Jump to this post

Someone asked why I was on simvasatin. Prescribed for high cholesterol. When i went off for a month my cholesterol jumped to 275Back on it at 20mg or half of prior dosage. 

REPLY
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Dec 24, 2017
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @sjpphil and @rabbit10, we took the question about statins and neuropathy to a pharmacist here..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @sjpphil and @rabbit10, we took the question about statins and neuropathy to a pharmacist here at Mayo Clinic. She writes:

"Neuropathy is not a side effect that typically comes to mind when someone is taking a statin, but there have been case reports suggesting there may be an association. At this point, a causal relationship has not been proven (we can’t say for sure that statins are the reason these patients developed neuropathy), but it is possible, and something that is being studied. It seems that the longer a person is taking a statin, the greater the risk of neuropathy. (Statins and risk of polyneuropathy: a case-control study. Published in Neurology. 2002;58(9):1333. Authored by Gaist, et al.)

Of course, neuropathy may be caused by other things as well, so it’s good that your health care team has ordered tests to get to the bottom of it."

I look forward to hearing the results of your testing @sjpphil.

Jump to this post

Hi @ssandy -- exercise is a good thing as long as you don't over do it. I don't have any experience with acupuncture for neuropathy but there is information out there. I have no medical training or knowledge so I rely on my own research to learn as much as I can about any treatment before deciding. There are a lot of people making money off of us folks with neuropathy. I guess that's because there are so many of us. Here is some supportive information on acupuncture and diet changes to treat neuropathic pain:
http://www.ohsu.edu/blogs/brain/2015/09/24/acupuncture-and-diet-changes-to-treat-neuropathic-pain/
John

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